i know i love you | jakehoon

𝙴𝙸𝙶𝙷𝚃 --

chapter
— 8 —

There was an unsettling feeling in the air as Sunghoon looked at Jay in the eyes. His stare was making him a little dizzy as the older put a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it softly. "Look Sunghoon-ah... You know you can tell me whenever something is bothering you right?" As they were getting older and Jay's parents were giving him more and more freedom, he was becoming much more independent. Jay now had the choice and would stay home from their trips to hang out with his friends, he's always wanted freedom like this. He was now a part of Sunghoon's everyday life, unlike when they were younger.

"What?" Sunghoon was always confused when Jay talked like this. "Are you... pretending or—making up Jaeyun in your mind? We have never seen—" The younger became very defensive and stood up from the bench, eyebrows furrowed downwards. "Why would I pretend? Why would I make him up?!" "Well then, introduce him to me. Introduce me to him today after school." Sunghoon went silent before crossing his arms. "I don't think he's comfortable enough to meet you, he's really shy"

Jay sighed out and massaged his temples, fixing his blazer before leaning back against the bleached behind him. "Okay, I'm going to ask you a few questions. If you can answer them all, I'll leave you alone about Jaeyun... But if it's the other way, Sunghoon we'll really need to talk then" He was getting on his nerves but the younger knew that Jay was only trying to help him out.

"Where is Jaeyun from?" Jay asked, putting both of his legs up onto the bleachers below him. "Seoul," "Ever been to his house before?" Sunghoon looked down at his lap before glaring into Jay's eyes. "No I have not, but I don't mind. We always hang out at my house or outside," Jay sighed out again.

"When's his birthday?" The younger froze. "Jaeyun's... birthday?" He did not know, he didn't even know where to begin. Sunghoon never had stopped to think that he didn't know what Jaeyun's birthday was, he never cared to ask before. "I... I don't know..." The older raised an eyebrow with a scoff. "You said he's the same age as us, right?" Sunghoon nodded. "Does he go to school with us? Or maybe he goes to another school...?"

He did not know what to do, he was frozen in his spot with nothing in his mind to say back. His tongue was also caught in a jumble and he didn't say anything back. "I don't know either..." Sunghoon looked down at his shoes, noticing that one of his shoelaces was untied. "Look man, I—" "Hey guys!" Heeseung called out, walking towards them with a smile and a soda can in his hand. Jay gave Sunghoon one last glance before going to greet the older. I really don't know much about Jaeyun, do I?

— ❀ —

Jay looked over at Sunghoon who was on his way up the stairs, his backpack slung over his shoulder. They were at the younger's house and he and Ni-ki joined him. Jay planned to tell Mrs. Park and Yeji about Jaeyun, he thought he should get their opinion on the whole situation. He wanted badly for Sunghoon to realize what he was trying to direct him to think but the younger didn't budge, he was sure that Jaeyun was there.

"You coming?" Sunghoon asked, Ni-ki right behind him. "No, I'll be right there though. I need to call my father really quickly," They both nodded without a question and made their way into his room. Mrs. Park and Yeji were both in the dining room, Yeji was working on her homework and Mrs. Park was doing something for work on her computer. "Hey, Mrs. Park? Yeji? Can I talk to you guys about Sunghoon?" He took a seat in front of the two.

"Hm? What is it, sweetheart? What about Sunghoon?" Yeji put down her pencil to look at the older male, both pairs of eyes glued to his own. "Have you guys ever heard him talk about a Jaeyun before?" There was a moment of silence before Yeji's eyes brightened, her mouth making a little O. "He did once when we ate dinner together, talking about how they hung out after school. There was also once when he came over and they were in his room. I didn't see him though, they were in his room the whole time..." Yeji finished talking and looked over at her mother before looking back at Jay.

"He did bring up that name once when he came home from school one day. He had been coming home a little later than usual and told me that he was hanging out with him. Guessing he's a schoolmate?" Jay shook his head. He was getting more and more worried with each second, biting his lower lip. "I think you may need to talk to Sunghoon about this Jaeyun..."

— ❀ —

"Sunghoon-ah, do you mind if we talk for a minute?" Sunghoon smiled and went to sit beside his mother, right in the middle of her and his sister. "Hm, what is it?" He leaned back and grabbed one of the throw pillows, resting it on his lap. His phone was in his right hand and he looked back and forth from Yeji and then back to his mother. "Let's talk about Jaeyun," His expression brightened a little bit before faltering.

"What about him?" He would love to talk about Jaeyun but the expression on his mother's face didn't please him, it looked like it was something really serious. "Is... Is he a real person? Or is this an imaginary friend...? Jay told me that he wasn't a schoolmate—" Sunghoon clenched onto the pillow with a deep frown, staring straight into his mother's eyes. "Mom, why are you asking this? Jaeyun is real! He breathes air!! Why don't you guys think he's real?" Yeji frowned as well and began to back away from him, going into the corner of the couch. "Why haven't I met this Jaeyun? I remember you bringing him up since you were in elementary school, so why haven't I met him?" Sunghoon was becoming helpless. He stayed silent.

"Sunghoon-ah, let's go to see a doctor..."

——

{ 061221 | 15:29 }

im so sorry today's update is a little bit late than usual :( i got a little busy but here is today's update! we both hope that you guys had an amazing day and that you are making sure to take care of yourself <3

- JAE -